Success Rate of IVF at 40: How Effective is IVF at 40?

20 May, 2025
IVF and Infertility
infertility
Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Nishi Singh
Author: Prime IVF Centre

Navigating fertility issues, especially at the age of 40, can be a daunting and highly personal experience, especially for women. In many cases, the age of 40 often leads through the doors of the fertility clinics, enquiring about the efficacy (and need) for fertility treatments, primarily in-vitro fertilisation (IVF).

While IVF is an effective and viable option, it also brings with it a series of questions. But one question consistently arises: What is the success rate of IVF at 40, and how effective is it really?

Given that one IVF cycle comes with financial burden, emotional turmoil and a lot of ongoing treatments, understanding its efficacy is crucial before undergoing the treatment. This Prime IVF guide will take a closer look into all those details.

Why is Age a Factor in Considering IVF (or other Fertility Treatments)?

To truly understand the concept of success rate of IVF at 40, we need to understand why age is considered the primary factor behind the success rate in the first place.

There is a saying that the biological clock of a woman is consistently ticking and there are valid reasons why that’s the case.

Diminishing ovarian reserve

Every woman is born with a finite number of eggs, which accounts for their ovarian reserve. Following puberty when a woman starts their menstrual cycle, this particular reserve gradually depletes throughout their lives. So, by the time 30s or especially 40s arrive, the number of remaining eggs is significantly lower in the person, as compared to their younger years.

Decreased egg quality

Not just the total number of eggs in the ovarian reserve, even the quality of the egg deteriorates with age. So, by the time a woman is 40, and considering IVF, the older eggs that would be used for the cycles will have higher risks of abnormalities, also known as aneuploidy, which, in turn, contributes to failed fertilisation, issues with implantation, miscarriages, etc.

Beyond the impact of age on the quantity and quality of the eggs, it also impacts the process of natural conception, making it difficult. This is one of the main reasons why most women at the age of 40 and above consider undergoing IVF to increase their chances of conception and becoming parents.

Also Read: आईवीएफ success कैसे होता है, Best Food For IVF Success

What is the Average IVF Success Rate Per Cycle When You are in Your 40s?

There are numerous reports and statistics that depict a marked decline in the IVF success rates as a person’s age increases.

Referring to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), here’s a breakdown of the average IVF success rates by age per cycle:

Women under 35: 40-50%
Women aged 35-37: 35-40%
Women aged 38-40: 25-30%
Women aged 40-42: 15-20%
Women aged 43-44: 5-10%
Women over 44: <5%

So, if you are wondering how effective IVF is at 40, the probability is between 15% to 20%, provided that you are getting a thorough assessment and precise IVF treatment from specialists at Prime IVF.

Also Read: IVF Success Rates Under 35

Which is Better at 40: Frozen or Fresh Embryo Transfer?

If you have frozen your embryo when you were younger but weren’t ready to embrace parenthood, that’s possibly one of the best fertility decisions you would have made for yourself.

Also, when you are at the age of 40, with the already depleting ovarian reserve and the deteriorating quality of the embryo, undergoing ovarian stimulation to extract the eggs and then doing the fertilisation process can be a hectic cycle.

So, our specialists at Prime IVF often recommend freezing embryos when you are younger, or at least freezing your eggs when you are younger, so you can later use the healthier and more viable forms of them to undergo the IVF cycle.

What Are the Key Factors Affecting the Success Rate of IVF Treatment at 40?

IVF success rates are influenced by numerous factors. Many people have a misconception that the “age” is the sole factor that determines whether or not the cycle would be a success. That is simply not true.

From the patient’s individual health to the precision and expertise of the specialists performing the entire IVF procedure, each factor contributes to the success of the treatment.

1. Evaluating the Quantity and Quantity of the Eggs and Sperm

Both the quantity and quality of the eggs and sperm play a crucial role in determining the success of an IVF cycle. So, conducting proper ovarian reserve assessment, egg quality evaluation and sperm quality evaluation is mandatory before the start of the IVF cycle.

For ovarian reserve assessment, there are numerous blood tests available like Anti-Müllerian Hormone - AMH and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone - FSH levels. Also, antral follicle count (AFC) via ultrasound can be done. The reports from these tests will determine how the patient would respond to ovarian stimulation.
For egg quality evaluation, there are certain advanced tests that check for abnormalities to rule out potential complications that could interfere with implantation rates or cause miscarriages, especially when you are at the age of 40 or above.
Not just the woman's egg reserve and quality, even the sperm quality (and quantity) can influence the success rate of an IVF cycle. So, sperm parameters like count, motility, and morphology should be assessed prior to ensure the success rate of fertilisation and optimal embryo quality.

2. Uterine Health

After the initial rounds of testing, consultation, ovarian stimulation, etc., the next big milestone in an IVF cycle is fertilisation.

Once the fertilisation is successful, then comes embryo transfer, followed by uterine implantation, which marks the conception and success of the IVF cycle. In many cases, lacking uterine health leads to implantation failure, which, in turn, fails the IVF cycle.

So, during the initial consultation and even before the start of the IVF cycle, conducting a thorough evaluation of the uterine cavity is a necessity, either through ultrasound or hysteroscopy to assess uterine health and rule out potential complications like polyps, fibroids, or adhesions.

3. Expertise and Technology of the Clinic

As previously mentioned, how efficient the fertility specialists are during the IVF process also determines the success rate of the cycle.

From embryology labs to the availability of advanced technologies, Prime IVF is at the forefront of revolutionising IVF treatment and its outcomes for the patients. We take pride in our state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment and the expertise of our fertility specialists, ensuring favourable outcomes for the patients.

4. Total Number of Embryos Transferred

With IVF, there are instances where multiple fertilized embryos are transferred to “enhance” the probability of a successful implantation and pregnancy.

However, this comes with certain limitations. While the positive is that multiple embryos enhance the chances of conception, it also increases the possibilities of multiple pregnancies, like twins, triplets, etc.

This is one of the reasons why our specialists at Prime IVF prioritise advanced technology to test the viability of the embryos and mostly focus on single embryo transfer (SET) to optimise outcomes and minimise risks.

Also Read: After How Many Weeks The IVF Pregnancy Is Considered Safe

The Importance of Hope and Keeping Realistic Expectations with IVF at 40

While the statistics may present a certain reality, it's crucial to maintain hope and focus on individual potential. Many women in their early 40s successfully conceive through IVF, especially with the advancements in reproductive technology and personalized treatment approaches offered at Prime IVF Centre.

It's also essential to have realistic expectations and engage in open and honest communication with your fertility specialist. Understanding the potential challenges and the strategies to overcome them empowers you to make informed decisions and navigate the IVF journey with greater clarity.

Be Ready to Embrace Parenthood at 40 with Prime IVF!

While age certainly impacts fertility, it doesn’t eliminate the possibility of becoming a parent. IVF at 40 might present unique challenges, but with the right guidance, medical expertise, and mental resilience, success is very much within reach.

At Prime IVF Centre, our dedicated team of experienced fertility specialists is here to provide you with personalised care, accurate information, and unwavering support.

Visitwww.primeivfcentre.com or call us at +91-9026869869 to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward parenthood.